What part of the world do Christian sects practice snake handling?

[CO the Old Dog]

Why do they do that?

[Rene O]

They are more likely cults...

Most religious snake handlers are still found in the Appalachian Mountains and other parts of the southeastern United States, especially in such states as Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Ohio. However, they are gaining steady recognition from news broadcasts, movies and books about the non-denominational movement.

[Veritas]

Southern part of US. and parts of Ohio have this sect that handle serpents.
The Bible tells them to pick up serpents and not be afraid.

[Debe L]

If they practice snake handling, you can bet they're not Christians.

[Tao Man]

Mostly in the back woods hills of Kentucky and Northern Georgia.

[Happyfrog552]

In the south of the United States, some Pseudo-Christian cults handle poisonous snakes as part of their beliefs.

[Jesus is my Savior]

It started in some Pentecostal Churches called "Appalachian Churches" in the 90's and I think it's total madness.

It is based on these verses:
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:17-18"

Brian Handwerk from National Geographic says:

"For serpent-handling churches, these verses hold no symbolism - they are the literal words of the Lord that have inspired worshiping believers to handle poisonous snakes for a hundred years.

Serpent handling is always controversial and in many areas illegal, yet it shows no signs of disappearing from its traditional home in Appalachia, the mountainous regions of the Southeastern United States stretching from Georgia to Pennsylvania."

Several people have died from snake bites in the recent years!

[David H]

Serpent handling is based on a skewed interpretation of the 16th chapter of Mark. It is mostly practiced in rural parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. You don't see or hear of it much, as they are a clannish lot and do not advertise. I live in West Virginia, and every so often they make the papers when one of their number dies from snakebite, although this doesn't happen often as most of them have developed natural anti-venom.

Needless to say, the law frowns on this sort of activity.

@Jesus Is My Savior: These people have been around a lot longer than that. I remember as a kid hearing my grandparents talk about distant relatives who were involved in the movement. If you are really interested in the subject, you should read Appalachian Mountain Religion: A History by Deborah Vansau McCauley. It is well researched and very historically and ethnographically accurate, although the snake handlers occupy only a very few pages.

[e w]

There are some cults in the South which do this, mainly very small churches, and so far, to the best of my knowledge, none of the snakes have talked..........

I don't know why they do it, but it doesn't seem very intelligent to handle poisonous snakes, if they're not professional herpetologists. (I've heard that they handle poisonous snakes)

[Steve]

My name is Steve Sparks.There are serpent hndling churches in west virginia virginia,,North carolina,also Alabama,Kentucky.I know of two Serpent Handler preachers who are very open with there beleifs and allow people from the outside to come to there services and take pictures and fil as long as there motives are right and are doing it to further the Gospel Of Jesus Christ or perserving history for Applacian History.The First is Pastor Jimmy Morrow Morrow,of the Edwina Church of God In Jesus Christ Name,Del-Rio TN.He is one of the most facination men you could ever meet.I do a web site for his church,its not the best but its a site.http://www.freewebs.com/pastormorrow/index.htm,
Iam distantly related top Brother Morrow on my fathers side.Also there is Pastor Mack Wolford of Bluefield West Virginia,His church is called.The Full Gospel apostolic house Of prayer of the lord Jesus,He is also i really good brother is involved in a book and allows filming and picture taking.they did a documentry on him and his family on sundance channel called heaven come down,if you want there phone number and youre sinsere in youre endevor,please email me at.obxsparks @ gmail.com.also mack wolford is on facebook.